Milk jug with froth-forming device for making “cappuccino”and the like

ABSTRACT

A milk jug with froth-forming device for making cappuccino and the like, including a container body that can be closed with a lid that supports and guides a froth-forming element, which is constituted by a plunger element associated with a rod that protrudes from the lid. The plunger element has a disk-like element formed by a circumferential rim that is connected, by spoke-like arms, to a central hub in which the rod is inserted. The spoke-like arms retain a mesh affecting the entire surface of the disk-like element, and the spoke-like arms decrease in thickness from the hub towards the outer rim to provide flexibility on the outer portion of the disk-like element so as to increase the inclusion of air particles inside the liquid upon a reciprocating motion of the plunger element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a milk jug with a forth-forming devicefor making “cappuccino” and the like.

It is known that a steam jet having the purpose of emulsifying the milkis currently used to make beverages such as cappuccino and the like.

Of course, this type of application is usable only if a machine capableof generating the desired jet of steam is available.

Therefore, it is practically impossible to make a cappuccino in ahousehold environment, since devices allowing to emulsify the milk in aquick and simplified manner are not currently available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal aim of the present invention is to solve the above describedproblem by providing a milk jug with a froth-forming device for makingcappuccino and the like that allows to emulsify the milk without havingto resort to the use of a jet of steam.

Within the scope of the above aim, a particular object of the inventionis to provide a milk jug having a simplified structure and allowing toobtain the froth with very simple actions that can be performed easilyby anyone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a milk jug with afroth-forming device for making cappuccino and the like which is capableof giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use byvirtue of its particular constructive characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a milk jug with afroth-forming device that can be easily produced starting from commonlycommercially available elements and materials and is furthermorecompetitive from a merely economical point of view.

This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparenthereinafter are achieved by a milk jug with froth-forming device formaking cappuccino and the like, according to the invention,characterized in that it comprises a container body that can be closedwith a lid which supports and guides a froth-forming element,constituted by a plunger element associated with a rod that protrudesfrom said lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of a milk jugwith froth-forming device for making cappuccino and the like,illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cutout view of the jug according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the froth-forming element;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the plunger element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above figures, the milk jug with froth-formingdevice for making cappuccino and the like, according to the invention,is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and comprises acontainer body 2 preferably but not necessarily made of stainless steeland having a cylindrical shape. Possibly a beak 3 shaped like aninclined plane that is formed monolithically with the container body 2may be provided, and furthermore the body 2 can be equipped with agripping handle or handgrip 5 made of heat insulating material.

A lid 4 can be coupled to the container body and is also preferably madeof stainless steel; its size is such that it is associable with theinside of the body 2 by simply pressing.

The lid 4 acts as a supporting and guiding element for a froth-formingelement, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, that isadvantageously constituted by a plunger element 11 connected to a rod 12that passes through the lid 4 and ends with a grip knob 13, preferablymade of a heat insulating material.

In order to facilitate the actuation, a finger-bearing element 6, madeof heat insulating material, is provided on the lid 4 in the passingzone of the rod 12; further to providing a finger rest, the element 6also forms a through guiding channel 6a for the rod.

The plunger element 11 has a disk-like body formed by a circumferentialrim 20 that is connected, by means of spoke-like arms 21, to a centralhub 22, in which the rod 12 is inserted.

The spoke-like elements 21 retain a mesh 23 affecting the entire surfaceof the disk-like element and decrease in thickness from the hub towardsthe outer rim 20.

The outer rim or ring 20 has a diameter that substantially matches theinside diameter of the container body 2 and is provided, on the outerpart, with a plurality of recesses 25 that allow the flow of liquid inaddition to the liquid that passes through the mesh 23.

In practical use, by subjecting the plunger element 11 to areciprocating motion, the liquid is forced to pass through the disk-likebody, consequently emulsifying the air inside said liquid and producingthe froth or cream.

To pour out the cream obtained, the lid 4 is removed by using thefinger-bearing element 6, while the plunger 11 may be used in order tofacilitate the outflow of the cream.

With the above described jug it is therefore possible, with extremelysimple means and with an action that consists simply of a reciprocatingmotion of the plunger element, to emulsify the liquid by including airinside it, thus producing the typical froth used to make cappuccino andthe like.

From the above description it is thus evident that the inventionachieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact isstressed that the particular structure of the disk-like element, whichhas tapering spokes, allows to provide flexibility on the outer portionof the disk-like body, further increasing the inclusion of air particlesinside the liquid.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible withthe specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, maybe any according to the requirements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A milk jug with a froth-forming device, saiddevice comprising: a container body for containing a liquid; a lid forclosing said container body; and a froth-forming element guidinglysupported by said lid, said froth-forming element including a plungerelement slidably positioned inside said container body, said plungerelement being connected to a rod, said rod slidingly protruding fromsaid lid; wherein said plunger element has a disk-like body, saiddisk-like body comprising an outer ring, said ring being connected,through spoke-like arms, to a central hub connected to said rod; andwherein said disk-like body has, on a main surface thereof, a mesh, saidmesh being supported by said outer ring and said spoke-like arms; andwherein said spoke-like arms have a cross-section that decreases fromsaid hub towards said outer ring in a tapered manner such that the outerportion of the disk-like body flexes during a reciprocating motion ofsaid plunger element inside said container body in order to increase theinclusion of air particles inside the liquid.
 2. Jug according to claim1, further comprising a finger-bearing element positioned on said lid.3. Jug according to claim 2, wherein said finger-bearing element is madeof a heat insulating material.
 4. Jug according to claim 2, wherein saidfinger-bearing element forms a through channel for guiding said rod. 5.Jug according to claim 1, wherein said outer ring has an externalperipheral region in essential sliding contact with the internal surfaceof said container body, said external peripheral region being providedwith recesses for allowing an additional flow of liquid said recessesduring a reciprocating movement of said plunger element.
 6. A method forproducing froth from hot milk for making cappuccino comprising the stepsof: placing a body of hot liquid milk in a container; and moving anelement through said body of milk in a reciprocating motion to emulsifythe milk to produce the froth; wherein said element comprising a flatscreen having an outer peripheral frame that conforms to the shape ofand engages the inner surface of the container and said moving stepcomprises reciprocating said flat screen back and forth through saidbody of milk to force the hot milk to pass through the flat screen toemulsify said body of hot milk with the air present in the container toproduce the froth.
 7. A method as in claim 6 wherein during said movingstep said screen is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis ofsaid container during reciprocation.
 8. A method as in claim 6 whereinsaid frame has a number of recessed passages on its outer periphery andsaid emulsifying step further comprising flowing milk from said body ofhot milk through said recessed passages as said element is reciprocated.9. A method as in claim 6 wherein said screen is of the mesh type.